on Martha's Vineyard did to the ifland of Nantucket. Dr. C. Mather acquaints us, that after a church was embodied Attempts to propagate the gospel a mong the Indians in New-Eng at Martha's Vineyard, and min land, &c. [Continued from p. 14.] NUMBER V. CHAP. I. SECTION III. the A general and brief account of propagation of the gospel among the Indians on the island of Nantucket-An epitome of the lives of three eminent Indian minifters, two of whom, at leaf, (if not the other,) were at times Miffionaries to their countrymen, as well as paflors to a particular church-Some useful anecdotes. T ifters ordained, a church of Indians was quickly gathered at Nantucket, who chofe John Gibbs, an Indian, to be their minifter.He obferves further, that these churches, viz. that on Nantucket, as well as that on the Vineyard, are fo exact in their admiffion, fo folemn in their discipline, and fo ferious in their communion, that fome of the Chriftian English in the neighborhood, who would have been loth to have mixed with them in a civil relation, yet have gladly done it in a facred one. And it appears by a letter pubHE compiler of this work lifhed in 1671, that Thomas Mayhas not, as yet, met with hew, Efq. was attentive to the any particular account of the prop-religious concerns, not only of the agation of the gofpel among the Indians on the inland of Nantucket, or of the Special ftate of religion in early times. Mr. Matthew Mayhew obferves in general, "That as in the apoftolic times, the church fent forth from among themselves [Evangelifts] for the converfion of the nations; fo thefe Indians VOL. III. No. 5. X Indians on his own ifland, but of thofe on Nantucket: "The praying Indians, both on the Vineyard and Nantucket, depend on him as the great inftrument of God for their good." This is all, that I have, as yet, been able to collect. As the great defign of the Evangelical Magazine is to pro mote religious knowledge, piety, | general. Confidering their difadand morality: And as one de- vantages in refpect to education, fign of the prefent compilation is it may be allowed, that the fimto exhibit traits of the religious plicity of their ftyle and manner, character of fome of thofe among rather adds grace to their perthe Indians who embraced Chrif- formances. tianity, efpecially of fome of their public teachers, for the good of others; I fhall, before I enter upon the hiftory of Mr. Eliot's labors, communicate fomething of this kind in the prefent fection. In the introduction it was propofed to include in this work an epitome of the life and character of diftinguifhed miffionaries. It will be pleafing to discover the great and happy change made by Christianity, refpecting their fentiments, temper, manners, and future profpects. OF HIACOOMES. As a general account of the converfion, and public, as well as private evangelic labors of Hiacoomes, the first Chriftian In dian and minifter on Martha's | Vineyard, has been communicated already, I may be more brief in the account of him. What is written is abridged mainly from Rev. Experience Mayhew's Indian converts. The defcent of this man was efteemed by his countrymen as mean-his fpeech was flow, and his countenance not very promifing: He was therefore, by the Indian Sachems, and others of their principal men, viewed as a low perfon, fcarcely worthy of their notice and regard However, to the English he foon difcovered himself to be of a friendly, As fome of the firft ordained Indian ministers were also miffionaries to their countrymen, and honored by the Great Head of the church as inftruments of special good to them, and furnished very fatisfactory evidence, that they were endowed with a rational, Christian zeal in the caufe; it may be proper in itself, ufeful to fome, and grateful to ferious readers to give fome brief account of their lives and characters, and a specimen of the fpeeches of fome of them upon special occafions. A few anecdotes may be added, which, to fome perfons, may not be wholly unentertaining. In the speeches of Indian min-modeft, and inquifitive turn of ifters, and other Chriftians of their mind, difpofed to improve his nation, the pious reader will dif-knowledge from his new neighcover, and be pleased with a vein bors, by learning fomething which of ferioufnefs, and many pertinent might be advantageous to him; thoughts, calculated to imprefs and they thought him very worthe minds of the hearers with thy of their notice. things of the laft importance: In their difcourfes they discover a mind deeply impreffed with a fenfe of the reality and infinite value of religion, and of the confummate folly and danger of its contrary-of all vice and impiety Soon after an acquaintance with the English had been formed, he went to their religious affembly, and was obferved by Mr. Mayhew. The fteps taken by this gentlemen for his inftruction the means used for his converA mind fraught with benevo- fion, and the divine bleffing aclence to their families, to their companying them, have been briefneighbors, and countrymen laly related in the first number. And now the Indians began, not only to give some credit to the truths communicated by Hiacoomes; but were also awakened by what they heard, and believ ed, fo as humbly to confefs their fins, and to be concerned how they fhould obtain the pardon of them; and alfo to renounce their own gods and powows, and promise to ferve the true God only. Hiacoomes could now tell Mr. Mayhew, That this was the first time, that ever he far the Indians fenfiof their fins. His following conduct, through a long life, left no doubt on the minds of his religious acquaintance of his being a real Chriftian; and indeed he was generally efteemed one of diftinguished rank. Soon after his converfion to Chriftianity, he expreffed an earneft defire to learn to read, that he might be in a better way to increase in knowledge; and being prefented with a fuitable book, he carried it about with him, till, by the affiftance of fuch as were willing to inftruct him, he attain-ble ed to what he had in view.* Asfoon as Mr. Mayhew found, that Hiacoomes had gained a competent knowledge of Chriftianity, he employed him, as he had opportunity, to inftruct, in private, as many of his countrymen, as would give him a hearing. Some foon began to hearken to him, yet did not feem to be duly affected with the truths taught by him; and many utterly rejected them; however he perfevered, notwithstanding all difcourage ments. But after the epidemic, and fevere fickness among them in the year 1646, many of the people being put upon ferious confideration, particularly fome men in power, thefe, and many others defired to be inftructed by him. This good man has fet a worthy example. Such examples ought to be imitated by thofe adults among the English-Americans, who, either thro' the cruel neglect of parents, or mafters, or their own negligence and obftinacy, or from fome other caufe, have not learned this ufeful and important art. Few, if any at this day need remain ignorant of it, if they are not wanting to themfelves. That refolution and perfeverance, which many dif cover in matters of lefs confequence, would overcome all difficulties which Bay appear in the way, From the year 1646, Hiacoomes was heard as a public fpeaker by a confiderable number of the Indians: And God gave him not only light, but courage al fo for this work; and the Indians then faid of him, "That though formerly he had been a harmless man among them, yet he had not been at all accounted of; and therefore they wondered that be, who had nothing to say in their meetings formerly, was now become the teacher of them all." This is very obfervable, that when he enumerated before the people the fins, of which they were guilty; inftead of being provoked at him for his plainnefs and fidelity, many of them, with tears, confeffed their guilt, and promifed to turn to the true God, and ferve Him only, and feek for the pardon of their fins through the blood of his Son, the only Saviour of finners. Under a particular affliction, which must have given a deep wound to the tender heart of a parent, he exhibited a fubmiffivé temper and behaviour. God, ia his Providence fo ordered, that none of the praying Indians, or their children died, 'till 1650. In this year, He was pleafed to remove, by death, a young child of Hiacoomes. He was enabled to show an excellent example upon the occafion. At the funeral, none of the heathenifh rites, which were once ufual among them in fimilar cafes, were to be feen, or heard no black faces, or goods buried, or howling over the dead; but instead of these things, a patient refignation of the child to Him who gave it. At the funeral, Mr. Mayhew made a fpeech concerning the refurrection of the godly, and their children to life eternal at the last day; which great truth this good man, and his Christian connexions believing, mourned not, as those who had no hope were accustomed to do. Hiacoomes evidently exhibited the amiable grace of humility. Though God gave him much fuccefs in his ministry, yet he did not appear, in any degree, to be elated on this account: Nor did he, upon this, think himself fufficient for the work of the miniftry ; but thought he still needed the continual help of Mr. Mayhew, to whom he therefore ftill reforted, that he might gain ftill further acquaintance with the extenfive fcience of theology, and be better qualified for teaching the natives in public and private. Perhaps It would be well, if fome English American teachers would learn wif dom, and confiftency from this worthy Indian preacher that they would use fuitable human means, as far as in their power, to gain knowledge, while they profefs to depend upon affiftance from heaven. Too many enthufiafts are to be found, who profefs to defpife fome important means for the acquisition of Chriftian knowledge, and to depend upon immediate teachings from above, by which they may be guided in their fentiments and words; and many declare, and wish to be believed upon the credit of their own affertions, that they have extraordinary communications of none, except near relatives, more heartily and deeply lamented Mr. Mayhew's premature death, than he. He exhibited, as occafions required, the various graces of the Chriftian life. He appeared to love his Redeemer with ardor of affection. In nothing did his love to his divine Saviour more appear, than in a rational and fervent zeal to promote his caufe among the natives. While only a preacher among them, he was diligent in his work, fervent in fpirit, ferving the Lord. He plainly and faithfully reproved their fins called them to repentance, and faith in Jefus Chrift, and to holiness of heart and life; and in this caufe, did not fear the face of man; tho at first, and for several years after, he had many inveterate and powerful enemies. After he was ordained in the year 1670, he performed all paftoral fervices with zeal and fidelity; and perfifted in the good work, till age had fo reduced the vigor both of mind and body, as ro render him, in a great measure, incapable of purfuing it: However, when very much taken off from public fervices, he did what he could in other ways, to promote the general caufe; and feemed determined to do what good he was able as long as he lived. He furvived his colleague, John this kind. But to fay the leaft, the public performances of many make evident, that their pretenfions are vain. A dependence upon divine teachings is an important duty, which every humble Chriftian will readily, and chearfully perform; but it ought ever to be in connexion with human means, appointed by God himfelf for the acquifition of the knowledge of divine things, and an ability to teach them to others with perfpicuity. Teckanafh, and made a grave fpeech at his funeral, the fubftance of which was taken in writing by Rev. John Mayhew :Part of it I fhall tranfcribe-it may be grateful to fome must needs give him this teftimony, after fome years experience of him, that he is a man of a fober fpirit, and good conversation; and as he has, as I hope, received the Lord Jefus in truth; fo I look upon him to be faithful, diligent and conftant in the work of the Lord, for the good of his own foul, and his neighbors with him." "Here," faid he, "is my deceafed brother. Paul faid, this body is fown in corruption; but it fhall be raised in ftrength: Now it is a pitiful mean body; but then it fhall be a glorious body: To this teftimony of Mr. MayYea, however this body fhall be hew may be added one of Rev. confumed, and be, as if it had nev- Henry Whitefield, firft minifter of er been, as it were turned into the church of Guilford, Connecnothing; yet the power of God ticut. Being about 10 days at fhall bring it forth again, and Martha's Vineyard, he converfed raise it up an excellent, and glo- frequently with Hiacoomes; and rious body: At the refurrection in a book* which he published afit fhall not be as you fee it is now; ter his return to England, he fays, now every one is diverfely appa-"I had fpeech with fome of the relled; but all after a mean fort; Indians, (Mr. Mayhew being my but the righteous at the refurrec-interpreter ;) above the reft, I detion fhall have all one uniform glo- fired to fpeak with the Indian, ry. Thus much I fay as to that." who now preaches to them every "But I shall now speak a fhort Lord's day; his name is Hiacooword to the relations of the per- mes: He feemed to be a man of fon deceased, efpecially to his a prompt understanding-of a fowife and children. If you be de- ber and moderate fpirit; and a firous to fee your father, feek your man well reported of for his converfather, for your father went be- fation, both by English and Infore you in every good work; dians: With this man I had oftherefore feek your father in ev- ten fpeech; and I asked him ery good work, and you fhall find many questions about the Chrifyour father again; for God's tian religion, and about his own mercies are exceeding great." eftate before God, to all which he gave me very fatisfactory and Chriftian anfwers." This good man ftanding by the grave, as it was filling, was heard to utter these words, "This is the last work, that, man can do for him; the next work God him felf will do." When he spake of the refurrection, Mr. Mayhew obferves, that he uttered himself with fuch fervency and confidence, as would have become one, who had himself actually feen the dead raifed. Rev. Thomas Mayhew, in a letter dated 1650, gives Hiacoomes this worthy character; "I |